Reduced-gravity fecal collector seat and urinal

ABSTRACT

A waste collection system for use in a reduced gravity including a seat having an opening centrally located therein, with a pair of opposed depressed valleys on opposite sides of said opening for accommodating the ischial tuberosities of a user. The seat has contoured surfaces for providing support of the user&#39;&#39;s body and includes a prominent ridge towards the rear, which provides forward-aft positioning cue to the user. A curved recess is provided adjacent the forward portion of the seat for accommodating a tubular urinal having an enlarged open mouth.

United States Patent 91 Brown REDUCED-GRAVITY FECAL COLLECTOR SEAT AND URINAL [75] Inventor: Jeri Wexler Brown, Houston, Tex.

[22] Filed: Mar. 15, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 341,621

[52] US. Cl. 4/10, 4/120 [51] Int. Cl A47k 11/02 [58} Field of Search 4/10, 119, 120, 90, 112, 4/142 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,340,543 9/1967 Cella 4/l0 9/1967 Celia 4/10 Apr. 23, 1974 6/1969 Smith 4/10 X 12/1964 Bennett 4/142 57 ABSTRACT A waste collection system for use in a reduced gravity including a seat having an opening centrally located therein, with a pair of opposed depressed valleys on opposite sides of said opening for accommodating the ischial tuberosities of a user. The seat has contoured surfaces for providing support of the users body and includes a prominent ridge towards the rear, which provides forward-aftpositioning cue to the user. A curved recess is provided adjacent the forward portion of the seat for accommodating a tubular urinal having an enlarged open mouth.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures REDUCED-GRAVITY FECAL COLLECTOR SEAT AND URINAL ORIGIN OF INVENTION The invention described herein was made by an employee of the United States Government and may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a waste collection system for use under reduced gravity, and more particularly to a fecal collector and urinal.

Heretofore, fecal collector seats and urinals designed for use in a reduced gravity environment, such as encountered by astronauts and the like in space travel, have been designed primarily for male crew members. These systems usually included a flat top cylindrical/- conical urinal and a circular ring seat which are not satisfactory for accommodating female crew members. Other waste disposal systems designed for use in substantially zero gravity environments are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,340,543, granted to R. T. Cella on Sept. I2, 1967, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,448,467, granted to James Smith on June 10, I969. While the seat construction illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3,340,543 may be satisfactory for male users, they would present considerable problems for female users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention comprises a waste collection system that includes a seat and a urinal which are adapted to be used with conventional air flow systems that entrain the urine and feces for positive collection. Any suitable urinal flush could be incorporated with the urinal, if desired. The seat forming part of the system has contoured surfaces for providing support of the users body and includes a prominent ridge towards the rear, which provides forward-aft positioning cue to the user Sloping sides from the point of the ridge assist in spreading the buttocks of the user when seated. Such is desirable for relaxing the anal sphincter muscle. Opposed depressed valleys are carried on opposite sides of a central opening foi" providing positive cueing both forward and aft for the ischial tuberosities of a user. A curved recess is provided adjacent the front portion of the seat for accommodating a urinal. The urinal includes an elongated tubular member having an enlarged open mouth at the top.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a waste collection system with an improved seat and urinal.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a fecal collector seat that has contoured surfaces and valleys that enable positive cueing with the buttocks of the user and, also provides an interface between the user and a conventional waste collection system.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a fecal collector seat and urinal which are adapted to be used in a reduced gravity atmosphere by both male and female users.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a fecal collector seat and urinal which is relatively inexpensive and comfortable for users.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following specification, attendant claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a fecal collector seat and urinal forming a part of the waste collection system,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of .a fecal collector seat and urinal,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view taken from the rear illustrating the fecal collector seat forming part of the subject invention,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front elevational view illustrating the urinal forming part of the subject invention, and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the urinal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a seat forming part of the reduced-gravity waste collection system which has an opening 11 centrally located therein. A pair of opposed depressed valleys 12 and 13 are carried on opposite sides of the opening 1 1 for providing positive cueing, both forward-aft and lateral positioning, to the users. When the user places the ischial tuberosities in these depressed areas 12 and 13 proper positioning for elimination is assured. The size of the depressed valley areas 12 and 13 are designed to accommodate the range of varying anthropometric mea surements of ischial tuberosities. This characteristic minimizes the possibility of misalignment between the user and the seat opening 11.

Extending outwardly from the depressed valleys 12 and 13 are contoured surfaces for providing support for the body of the user, as well as producing additional positioning cueing points. The contoured surfaces include sloping surfaces 14 and 15, which extend rearwardly and upwardly from the opposed depressed valleys I2 and 13, respectively, and terminate in a sloping ridge 16. The sloping ridge 16 extends from the rear of the seat downwardly towards the opening 1 l. The sloping surfaces 14 and 15, in combination with the sloping ridge l6 assist in spreading the buttocks as the user is seated. This is desirable for relaxing the anal sphincter muscle. An upper point 17 of the ridge 16 serves as a limiting boundary for how far aft the user sits.

Slightly curved forward ridges 18 and 19, respectively, are provided in front of the depressed valley areas for producing a forward-aft positioning cue. The ridges 18 and 19 are limiting boundaries for how far forward the user may sit. Laterally curved surfaces 20 and 21 disposed adjacent the outer edges of the opposed depressed valleys 12 and 13, respectively, slope upwardly for assistance in spreading the users but-.

3 designated by the reference character 28, within the recess 26 for female urine collection.

The urinal 28 may be used by both males and females. The position of the urinal is variable to achieve maximum accommodations for either sex by attaching a flexible hose (not shown), to a lower tubular portion 29, or by mounting the urinal 28 on a swivel connection with a fixed pivot point. The use of a flexible hose would allow females to use the urinal while standing. The urinal 28 is tubular and has an enlarged open mouth 30 adjacent the top. An upper surface 31 of the urinal is concave, defining a seating surface which conforms to the contour of the user's body. The mouth 30 of the urinal 28 is narrower at its rear end 32 than adjacent the front end 33 so that such can be used in two positions, depending on the users own preference. Collection is satisfactory in both positions.

In reduced-gravity modes such as encountered in outer space by astronauts seat belts and foot restraints would be used during elimination to aid the crew member in operational procedures. Air flow, such as presently being used in conventional waste collection systems, would be used to entrain the urine and feces for positive collection. As can be seen, the fecal collector seat and urinal provide capabilities for both male and female users.

The bottom of the seat, which is not shown, curves from the side walls 23, 24 and 25 inwardly towards the opening 11, producing a flat lower surface for the seat.

What is claimed is: l. A waste collection system for use under reduced gravity conditions comprising:

a. a seat having an opening centrally located therein;

b. a pair of opposed depressed valleys carried on opposite sides of said opening;

c. sloping surfaces extending rearwardly and upwardly from said opposed depressed valleys terminating in a sloping ridge extending from the rear of said seat to adjacent said opening;

d. said sloping ridge being centrally located between said opposed depressed valleys; and

e. a curved relatively thin front wall disposed between said opposed depressed valleys closely adjacent a front side of said opening defining a front centrally located curved recess;

f. whereby a seat is provided having depressed valleys which conform to the ischial tuberosities of a user while permitting positive cueing with the buttocks.

2. The waste collection system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:

a. a urinal including an elongated tubular member having an enlarged open mouth adjacent the top adapted to be placed in said centrally located curved recess of said seat; and

b. an upper surface surrounding said mouth being concave defining a seating surface.

3. The waste collection system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said: enlarged open mouth of said urinal is narrower at its rear end than adjacent its front end.

4. The waste collection system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: lateral surfaces disposed adjacent outer edges of said opposed depressed valleys sloping upwardly for assisting in spreading the users buttocks. 

1. A waste collection system for use under reduced gravity conditions comprising: a. a seat having an opening centrally located therein; b. a pair of opposed depressed valleys carried on opposite sides of said opening; c. sloping surfaces extending rearwardly and upwardly from said opposed depressed valleys terminating in a sloping ridge extending from the rear of said seat to adjacent said opening; d. said sloping ridge being centrally located between said opposed depressed valleys; and e. a curved relatively thin front wall disposed between said opposed depressed valleys closely adjacent a front side of said opening defining a front centrally located curved recess; f. whereby a seat is provided having depressed valleys which conform to the ischial tuberosities of a user while permitting positive cueing with the buttocks.
 2. The waste collection system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: a. a urinal including an elongated tubular member having an enlarged open mouth adjacent the top adapted to be placed in said centrally located curved recess of said seat; and b. an upper surface surrounding said mouth being concave defining a seating surface.
 3. The waste collection system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said: enlarged open mouth of said urinal is narrower at its rear end than adjacent its front end.
 4. The waste collection system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: lateral surfaces disposed adjacent outer edges of said opposed depressed valleys sloping upwardly for assisting in spreading the user''s buttocks. 